Brassidic acid: structure and properties

Chemical structure of brassidic acid

Brassidic acid (22 carbon atoms) was first prepared from erucic acid by Reimer W. in 1886.
It is a monounsaturated (one trans (E) double bond; shorthand nomenclature cannot be used to name trans fatty acids) fatty acid member of the sub-group called very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), from 20 carbon atoms onwards, and is the trans-isomer of erucic acid.

Properties of brassidic acid

In purified form it presents as thin, crystalline plates insoluble in water, with melting point at 61-62 °C (141.8-143.6 °F; 334.15-335.15 K) and boiling point at 282 °C (539.6 °F; 555.15 K) at 30 mmHg